How to Cope with an Emotional Breakdown

Sometimes you can deal with upsetting emotions with ease, getting over sadness or anger quickly, while at other times you feel these emotions so acutely that nothing can prevent a breakdown. While hopefully uncommon, an emotional breakdown is something that many people will experience as they navigate the complex world of human relationships. If you find yourself in the midst of a breakdown, the way in which you respond to your upsetting emotions could determine how quickly you move past your upset.

Instructions

• 1

  Separate yourself from the situation causing you upset. There was likely a catalyst for your breakdown. To ensure that you don't just continue to feel the upsetting emotion that caused you to break down in the first place, move physically away from that catalyst, or try to get it out of your mind. For example, if you got into a fight with a friend, leave the location where this friend is to allow yourself to get back on level ground.

• 2

  Sit down and try to calm yourself. Avoid pacing or allowing yourself to act out physically as a result of your upset, but instead force yourself to sit down and take deep breaths, counting backwards from 10 or simply trying to clear your mind.

• 3

  Turn to someone you trust for help. Call a friend or family member and ask this individual to serve as a support. Explain to this individual what made you upset and tell him how you are currently feeling. He will likely be able to help you calm down and remind you that everything is okay, something that, although you know already, may be soothing to hear during the trying time.

• 4

  Get medical help if your upset doesn't subside. If, try as you might, you can't calm down or return to your normal happiness level, seek help from a mental health practitioner or your general physician. If your breakdown was severe enough, it may not be something from which you can recover from on your own.